The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-13
GROVER AND HIS SUBSTITUTE.

! will make a curious page in history. In most
monarchical countries the kings are bred to
| arms and one of their chiefest claims to the
allegiance of their subjects is their ability to
command and lead in time of war. In all
| countries there is disposition to exalt and
| honor military heroes. 1t has always been so
| in this country. Every war that we have en-
| gagged in has produced its crop of military
heroes and furnished President Washing
ton, Andrew Jackson, Zachary Taylor and
Gen. Grant were each successful in war be-
fore they were elected President. All the
world loves a brave soldier. The Constitu-
ton makes the President commander-in-
chief of the army and navy. He needs not
necessarily be soldier by education or prac-
tice, but the Constitution makes him by bre-
vet the highest officer in the army. He is en-
titled to the highest military and naval hon.
ors When he visits naval station or any
army post he receives presidential salute.
Every officer and every man in the army and
navy is subject to his orders. Yet this con-
stitutiona1 commander-in-chief of the army
substitute in the war for the Union. Under
any circumstances the statement would seem
incredible and the situation ridiculous, but
the more it is examined the more inconsistent
and absurd it appears. That position ever
filled by the greatest of born leaders and SOL
diers, Washington, by the gallant and fiery
Jackson, by modest and brave old Zach Tay-
lor, by the worldwide famous soldier Grant,
all of whom came to the presidential chair
through the smell of powder, the roar of bat
tie and The smoke of victofy-that such men
should be succeeded by man who went to
war by substitute and won victorious fame
through the services of hired proxy will
certainly make one of the strangest records of
history.
The mere fact perhaps is not disgraceful at
least it is not as disgraceful as if Mr.. Cleve-
land had enlisted or responded to the draft
and afterwards deserted. Let us thank
heaven the President is not a deserter nor
bounty-jumper. Of course there were reasons
enough why he, healthy and ablesbodied
young man, did not volunteer. Without citing
others it is enough that he had no taste for
When the draft came on did he take to the
woods or fly to Canadaf Not bit
of it. He stood his ground and took his
chances, and when his name was drawn he
'brave1y responded to his country's call" by
borrowing $3.50 from q friend and furnish
ing substitute. This shows he was true
and loyal patriot. Some men would have
taken the $3.50 and HE'D them to the noun
tains or skipped to Canada, as thousands
of other Democrats did Grover was not
built that way. He did not even move for
a quo warranto or writ of habeas corpus.
He made up his mind at once to sup
port the government with a substitute and
respond to his country's call by proxy. It is
Cleveland for great things. If she had in
tended to let him be killed. crippled, dis
figured OF otherwise debarred from great
career she would simply have made it i'm
possible for him to borrow $3.50 and thus have
forced him into the army. But friend was
at hand-Captain Rinehart, of police station
No. 3, is the name ever to be remem bered-
the DATED mans credit was good for that
amount, the money was forthcoming the
substitute was found and furnished, the de-
mand of the government satisfied, and
Grover Cleveland was released and reserved
for the great destiny that awaited him. It is
possible Mr.. Cleveland had some premonition
of the Importance of the event or else he was
determined to do mis- whole duty by the coun-
try in its hour of need. for he never let his
substitute get out of his sight till he
mustered in the service, even accompanying
him to Fort Parker to witness that ceremony.
panels of the Capitol at Washington. 1t
might be called "a prospective President-of
the United States taking his first and last
lesson in war"
to be told. George Brinski, the Presidents
substitute, now 65 years old, is an inmate of
the Soldiers Home at Bath, New York. He
is poor, friendless and feeble He has seen
the President once since his nomination and
has written him several times since his cleo
ton asking for assistance but has received no
reply. The old man says that Cleveland
promised him faithfully if he came out of
the war alive he would do something hand
some for him. The American people would
think better of the commander-in-chief of
their army and navy if he had done SO. A
military hero ought to keep his word.
ASSISTANT Secretary of the Treasury